Dundee United

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

Now the international break is almost packing its bags and leaving, taking with it our will to watch disjointed friendlies, it's back to the real stuff this weekend, proper club football.

Dundee United make the trip to Glasgow to face title-chasing Rangers, and if you ask me, all the pressure sits firmly on the shoulders of the Govan side. They're the ones with silverware on the line. In their eyes, United are likely just turning up to be awkward.

Yes, mathematically, United can still sneak into the top six. Realistically? The chances are about as slim as my Dundee-supporting mates ever witnessing a Scottish Cup win in their lifetime. In other words, slimmer than the gable end of a cigarette paper.

That said, United head west with a bit of a swagger after throwing a rather inconvenient spanner into Celtic's title charge last time out. Confidence is a funny thing in football. It can appear out of nowhere, much like a last-minute equaliser or a questionable VAR decision. Suddenly, there's a sense that there's nothing to fear here.

Danny Rohl has undoubtedly improved Rangers, but let's not pretend they're the all-conquering force of years gone by. They're good, not great - and certainly not invincible. And that's all the encouragement United need.

Jim Goodwin may well stick with the same starting XI for a third consecutive game. In football terms, that's practically a long-term relationship. Consistency has been hard to come by, so if something's working, best not to start tinkering with the Tannadice Tombola. Stick with what has worked.

Now, am I predicting a famous United win? Let's not get carried away, I'm optimistic, but realistic. But a solid performance? A hard-earned point? Absolutely within reach.

We've already shown this season that Rangers don't have the answers to every question United ask. So why not go and ask a few more on Saturday?

At the very least, let's make them uncomfortable. And if nothing else, we might just ruin a few weekends in Glasgow, which, let's be honest, is always a nice bonus.

Paul McNicoll can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external

Kristijan Trapanovski's Dundee United future is in doubt after the 26-year-old winger, who is out of contract this summer, was ruled out for six months after the North Macedonia international was told he needs knee surgery. (Daily Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Dundee United midfielder Emmanuel Agyei, who is being monitored by Ghana head coach Otto Addo, has revealed he had trials with Nottingham Forest while the 21-year-old was with Dreams in his homeland before joining Ashdod. (The Courier), external

Moldova head coach Lilian Popescu says in-form Dundee United centre-half Iurie Iovu is not in his latest squad because he did not shine in previous matches. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

The commanding win over Celtic was greeted with joy from Dundee United supporters - who will also possibly have gone home with a feeling of what might have been.

United have beaten the defending champions twice this season - a fine achievement.

However, this latest victory appears to be too little, too late for Jim Goodwin's side.

While it is not arithmetically impossible for his seventh-place team to creep into the top six, it looks highly unlikely as it requires United to win their two remaining pre-split games, Falkirk to lose theirs, and a big goal difference swing.

What the impressive win over Celtic showed is the undoubted talent that exists in this United squad.

However, on too many occasions this season that talent hasn't been reflected in results - a key reason why United are set to spend the remainder of the campaign in mid-table no-man's land.

If United kick on and finish the season strongly, the sense of what might have been may well grow.

Goodwin is expecting a busy summer transfer window, so a high turnover of players is likely.

While that in itself is no guarantee of success, he will be hoping the changes he makes can deliver a better consistency of performance, and results, next term.

Dundee United captain Ross Graham did not want to show his face locally following his equalising own goal in the recent 2-2 draw with Dundee. (Courier - subscription required), external

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

Football is a funny old game.

Paul said it last week and after Dens it felt painfully true.

Two goals up with 93 minutes played, the game should be done. Then chaos and collapse. The kind of finish that sticks with you and drains the place.

A week later and it feels like a different world. That is what one result can do.

United did not just beat Celtic. They deserved it. From the first whistle there was a reaction. Bite in the tackles, discipline in the shape with belief in what they were doing. It looked like a team determined to put something right.

The finger pointing has stopped and the mood has lifted. The same players under scrutiny a week ago are now being praised for stepping up.

Will Ferry summed it up with his non-stop running. And finally a goal - maybe not the cleanest finish he will ever score but no one deserved it more!

Ross Graham too. A tough week after the derby but that was a captain's performance.

Across the pitch, United won their battles. Emmanuel Agyei and Vicko Sevelj controlled the middle, Iurie Iovu dealt with everything thrown at him. Amar Fatah carried a constant threat while Neil Farrugia had his best game in Tangerine.

You could pick any number of standouts and maybe that is the biggest takeaway.

This team has never been short of ability. It has lacked consistency and struggled with a nervous disposition after the 85th minute.

Sunday was a reminder of what they can be.

It does not fix everything but it changes the mood and gives belief with two games left before the split.

Funny old game indeed.

Ronny Costello can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external

Image source, SNS

Will Ferry believes Dundee United's second consecutive home win over Celtic bodes well for a "strong end" to an otherwise "disappointing" season.

They followed up their 2-1 victory in December with a fine 2-0 triumph over Martin O'Neill's side on Sunday, with the Irish winger scoring his first goal since joining the Tayside club in 2024.

United have also drawn with leaders Hearts and second-top Rangers despite sitting in the bottom six of the Scottish Premiership.

"We have beaten a team going for the title twice, which is good," Ferry said. "Although our season has been disappointing, our best performances have come against the better teams.

"We don't like to roll over and show people too much respect."

United must win their final two matches before the top flight splits into two, and hope Falkirk lose both of theirs, to have a chance of finishing in the top six.

"It had been a long week building up to it because we were hurting after the derby," Ferry said of Dundee's two stoppage-time goals that secured a 2-2 draw.

"We know top six is technically out of our hands and we need a bit of a miracle.

"It's been frustrating this season and I'm sure 90 per cent of our fanbase feel the same.

"All we can do is influence the end to the season. If we can play like we did against Celtic then we can have a strong end to the year."

Image source, SNS

Dundee United fully deserved their 2-0 Premiership victory against a Celtic side "bereft of quality", according to former Celtic midfielder Scott Allan.

Goals from Will Ferry and Emmanuel Agyei earned United all three points at Tannadice on Sunday, leaving Celtic five points behind leaders Hearts.

Much has been made of the bare and bobbly playing surface at Tannadice, but Allan says that simply cannot be an excuse for Martin O'Neill's side.

"Once you turn up as a player and you see the surface, straight away you know exactly what type of game it's going to be, especially in that midfield area," Allan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Dundee United are going to be combative, they're going to make you defend, try get you running back to your goals, but then when you do have your moments and you're a Celtic player, you have to get your foot on the ball and show a bit of composure.

"I just thought they were bereft of any quality and when they did get down the sides there was no real belief that they were going to go by someone and create something.

"[Kelechi] Iheanacho was a strange one for me just to come in, especially in a game like that when we haven't seen much of him of late. But think that just sums up where Celtic are in terms of their number nine this season.

"But Dundee United were well worth it. Will Ferry was excellent.

"As much as Celtic didn't put them under a great deal of pressure, Dundee United took their moments and deserved all three points."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

GK: Raphael Sallinger (Hibernian)

Not a vintage weekend for goalkeepers, so three saves and a clean sheet wins it for the Hibs custodian.

RCB: James Tavernier (Rangers)

Can Rangers really afford to lose the goals this right-back gives them every season? Not getting any younger but still delivers, as his free-kick against Aberdeen demonstrated.

CB: Ross Graham (Dundee United)

A lion at the back for United against Celtic. Stifled all the defending champions could throw at him, clean sheet and three points that keep United's slim top-half hopes alive. The perfect riposte to his derby day dejection.

LCB: Liam Donnelly (St Mirren)

The midfielder played on the right of a back three for St Mirren and shone defensively as well as scoring the winner. A big three points away to Falkirk.

RWB: Oisin McEntee (Hearts)

Towering header the decisive moment for Hearts to break the deadlock against Dundee. His physicality and power make him a huge threat at set-pieces.

CM: Marc Leonard (Hearts)

A different kind of midfielder to Cammy Devlin but arrived at the right time to fill the void left by the Australian this season. His delivery for McEntee's vital goal was right on the money.

CM: Emmanuel Agyei (Dundee United)

A robust and dynamic performance from the Ghanaian, topped off with a huge goal.

LWB: Will Ferry (Dundee United)

Normally all about the delivery, but Sunday was all about the finish from Ferry, which opened the scoring against Celtic. Not the cleanest of strikes but it doesn't matter. Remarkably his first United goal.

RW: Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock)

Going to Kilmarnock was the best thing that happened to Steve Clarke, and the same for Curtis. Their paths will now cross in the Scotland camp, and rightly so. Curtis always looked like he had the talent, Kilmarnock are giving him the stage and all parties are benefitting. Scored the second in the big 2-0 win over Livingston.

CF: Joe Hugill (Kilmarnock)

An impressive showing topped with a goal from the former Manchester United youngster, and an assist for Curtis.

LW: Mikey Moore (Rangers)

The 18-year-old clearly had a lot of talent when he arrived at Ibrox, but in recent times he has stepped it up a level and delivered with consistency as Rangers continue their late charge for the title.

We asked for your views on Dundee United's fantastic league win against title-chasing Celtic on Sunday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Paul: Where were the past two performances in the other 29 games? I feel short changed!

Dave: Good display and a special mention for Ross Graham and the other centre-halves. They didn't put a foot wrong. Emmanuel Agyei in midfield was absolutely magnificent. What a find he is! My abiding memory though will be the look on Will Ferry's face when he scored. Priceless.

Ewen: Well I have to say that I went along to Tannadice not quite knowing what to expect. I left full of admiration for my team and my heart bursting with pride. Everything that has been missing for large parts of the season was present. Commitment, passion, drive and not least knowhow. Celtic were very much second best throughout. Well done the Terrors!

Kieran: That's how you respond to derby dejection. To a man we practically bullied Celtic. Yes, the condition of the pitch will be mentioned, but at the end of the day it is putting the ball in the back of the net that counts and we did that. Celtic never looked like scoring. Credit to Graham, he deserved all the stick that was thrown at him last week but is well worth the plaudits this week - a proper captain's performance along with Ferry and Agyei.

Bruce: Excellent performance and gameplan. Players all played their part. Agyei looks an immense signing. Who says three at the back doesn't work? It did against the champions! Well done Jim.

George: Delighted for Jim, who took a big gamble on Graham. Thankfully the player responded and justified the manager's faith. We have been due the 'rub of the green' - no pun intended given the pitch. The Falkirk result opened the door to top six a little and we have managed to get a foot in. Maintain this performance over the rest of the season and who knows?

Watch Dundee United stun Celtic again, delivering a significant blow to the Parkhead side's Scottish Premiership title hopes.

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Celtic became the latest club to stumble in the race for the Scottish Premiership title as struggling Dundee United beat them at Tannadice for the second time this season.

Read the full match report here.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "We're delighted to win any game but to win in the manner we did this afternoon was really pleasing.

"Coming into the game off the back of the disappointment against Dundee seven days ago, when we had arguably one of our best performances of the season, the players showed great character to bounce back - in part my defenders and my captain Ross Graham.

"When you beat Celtic or Rangers, the talking points tend to be about them but today, when people watch the game back, we were the better team.

"The low block was effective, we tried to be really dangerous on the counter attack. We forced the Celtic goalkeeper into going long at times. It was a real team performance today.

"We looked like the team that carried the most threat all afternoon.

"We've got to keep believing. We've got a huge support base at United and they expect nothing less than us giving our all. We know how difficult going to Ibrox is, there's a lot on the line for Rangers as well but we have to keep believing.

"We have to build on performances like this. If we sneak into the top six, it will be a great achievement, but if we don't I'll spend the summer thinking about what could have been, because of the amount of points we've dropped and late goals we've conceded.

"Hopefully we'll pull a rabbit out of the hat."

Image source, SNS

Dundee United's Falkirk-bound midfielder Craig Sibbald returns while Luca Stephenson should shake off a knock.

Kristijan Trapanovski and Isaac Pappoe miss out with knee injuries.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has recovered from a calf strain but Julian Araujo is still struggling with a thigh injury.

Alistair Johnston returned to training after a hamstring injury but is not ready while Arne Engels (thigh), Jota (knee), Callum Osmand (hamstring), Kasper Schmeichel (shoulder) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles) are out.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin believes interim Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is being willed on by older coaches to win the league "to prove they can still do it".

O'Neill presided over a glittering five years in charge at Parkhead in the early 2000s and the 74-year-old has had two spells at the helm just this season.

The Northern Irishman took temporary charge back in October following Brendan Rodgers' resignation before being replaced by who Celtic thought was their new permanent manager - Wilfried Nancy.

Following a torrid 33 days in charge, Nancy was sacked and O'Neill returned to Parkhead to see out the season alongside Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham.

Despite a turbulent campaign, O'Neill's side travel to Tannadice on Sunday second in the table, just two points behind leaders Hearts.

"I think it goes to show that age doesn't really matter," Goodwin said.

"People talk about the coaching game being a young man's game now but I am pretty sure there are a lot of older coaches out there willing Martin O'Neill on just to go and prove that they can still do it.

"His experience is incredible, the success that he had at Celtic during his first spell was outstanding, he is probably one of the most successful managers Celtic have had in their modern history and the fact he has been there now a couple of times on a rescue mission this season speaks volumes.

"I couldn't speak any higher of the man himself and the job he has done as a manager but of course we are going out on Sunday to try and upset him and make him very disappointed."

Seventh placed United are looking to bounce back after their late Dundee derby collapse last weekend.

After they play Celtic on Sunday, their next league outing is away to third place Rangers.

"It is not about us trying to influence what is happening at the top end of the table," he added.

"It is about us trying to gain points that are going to help Dundee United, that is the bottom line.

"We dropped a couple of valuable points last weekend but we have got an opportunity on Sunday to go and put that right and that is what we aim to do.

"We know what is at stake for both teams, and in particular what is at stake for Celtic in terms of the challenge they are trying to mount against Hearts and Rangers to go and win the title.

"You could argue there is a bit more pressure on the Celtic players than there is on mine but we are the home team, we had a really good performance and result against Celtic the last time we played them at Tannadice and we have to take confidence from that one into this one."

Image source, SNS

Dundee United midfielder Craig Sibbald, who recently agreed a summer return to Falkirk, returns, while Luca Stephenson should shake off a knock.

Kristijan Trapanovski and Isaac Pappoe miss out with knee injuries.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has recovered from a calf strain but Julian Araujo is still struggling with a thigh injury.

Alistair Johnston returned to training after a hamstring injury but is not ready as Arne Engels (thigh), Jota (knee), Callum Osmand (hamstring), Kasper Schmeichel (shoulder) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles) remain sidelined.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United midfielder Neil Farrugia admits it's been "tough" around Tannadice following last weekend's derby capitulation but believes they can channel the disappointment in a positive way against Celtic on Sunday.

The Tangerines were 2-0 up going into added time at Dens Park but were left stunned after Dundee netted twice in the final two minutes to earn a draw.

And United manager Jim Goodwin described the late collapse as "pathetic" but Farrugia insists the squad are ready to bounce back.

"It was a tough couple of days after," he said.

"Mentally it was hard to understand what has just happened but football is a mad game and the next game is just around the corner.

"It is about trying to forget what has happened and somehow take all the positives there were in that game because we were comfortable for 90 minutes. It was just right at the end we just lost that bit of concentration.

"That one point is a very tough one point to get, it definitely feels like a big loss and so those points are something that we are after now and what better time to do it than against Celtic at the weekend."

United are seventh in the Premiership table and sit nine points behind Falkirk in sixth with three games to go before the split.

And while finishing in the top six seems highly unlikely, Farrugia insists United's season is not over.

"I think the teams underneath us have done quite well recently and it is not going to be an easy cruise in the last part of the season," he added.

"We have to be at the top of our game to keep the pressure off. Top six is probably just out of reach at this stage but I think as players it is our job to keep going every week and to find that little bit of motivation to keep going.

"And Celtic at the weekend is a great example, it is a big game against a great team and these are the sort of games that you want to play."

Image source, SNS

• Since Martin O'Neill's first away league game of the season in charge of Celtic in November (1-0 win v St Mirren), the Hoops have earned more points on the road (20) than any side in the Scottish Premiership (W6 D2 L2).

• Dundee United have lost a league-high 22 points from winning positions in the Scottish Premiership this season. Celtic have recovered 13 points from losing positions - the joint most of any club (level with United).

• After their 2-1 win in December, United could beat Celtic twice in a row at home in the league for the first time since April 1991 (three in a row).

• That loss at Tannadice was Celtic's only defeat to United in the past 25 meetings in all competitions (W19 D5), keeping 18 clean sheets in this period.

• United have earned 52.9% of their points season at home (18/34), the lowest ratio of any side.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin says the knee ligament damage that could sideline Kristijan Trapanovski for the rest of the season will have no impact on whether he decides to offer the 26-year-old North Macedonia international a new contract. (Daily Record), external

Read all of Friday's Scottish Gossip

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, Getty

Jim Goodwin is scouring "every market" to get a head start on Dundee United's "busy" summer of recruitment.

United already have twonew recruits secured, with Australian striker Lachlan Rose this week signing a pre-contract to arrive in the summer alongside fellow A-League attacker, New Zealander Jesse Randall.

The pair will add to United's Antipodean contingent which includes Zac Sapsford, Ashley Maynard-Brewer and Ryan Strain.

"It is obviously a market we follow closely," said Tannadice boss Goodwin.

"The A-League is broadcast live now in the UK at the weekends and I watch a lot of the football on Saturday and Sunday mornings and the standard is really good.

"Over the last 10 years there has been a significant investment in the A-League and the quality of player that is available over there fits within our financial structure.

"The Australian players I have worked with in the past have all been really strong characters, very professional. There are a number of Australian players in the Scottish Premiership at the moment that are currently performing very well.

"And those players from Australia, New Zealand, they want the opportunity to come to Europe to raise their profile and to see where it takes them.

"We have been working hard behind the scenes with the recruitment. We are going to have a busy summer window and it is important we are planning and preparing for that in the meantime.

"We are really pleased with the business we have done up to now and we will continue to look in every market, not just Australia, all across Europe and in the UK.

"We are talking to a few more now regarding pre-contracts and we want to make sure that come pre-season we have got a really strong squad to go and attack the next campaign."

Midfielder Craig Sibbald will depart Tannadice in the summer to rejoin first club Falkirk.

"He has been a pleasure for me to work alongside in the three years I have been here," said Goodwin.

"He has been pretty much a mainstay in the team during that period, but he has got a real emotional connection to Falkirk, it is where it all began for him.

"We did make an offer to Sibbs but he felt the lure of going back to his hometown team was too much to turn down."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Sunday's visit of Celtic.

Here are the main points:

• Following their late capitulation from 2-0 up in the derby draw with Dundee last weekend, Goodwin says the reaction from the players has been good.

• After criticising his squad for the way they handled the closing stages of that game, Goodwin stresses "we are all in this together" and says they need to show in the remaining fixtures they have learned the lessons to address a fragility that has plagued them this term.

• With seventh-place United destined to spend the remainder of the campaign in mid-table no man's land, Goodwin says it won't be difficult to motivate the players as they all have something to play for and the fans expect "nothing less than 100%".

• He is expecting a difficult game against a "good" Celtic team who are full of quality, but says "you could argue there is more pressure" on the Parkhead side as they challenge for the title

• Goodwin praised the job Martin O'Neill has done at Celtic this season, saying it proves "age doesn't really matter", and thinks there will be older coaches out there willing O'Neill on to show they can still do it.

• With Australian striker Lachlan Rose having signed a pre-contract, Goodwin says United "will continue to look in every market" as they prepare for "a busy summer window".

• Goodwin confirms United did offer Falkirk-bound Craig Sibbald a new deal, but says there was "a real emotional attachment" that has lured him back to the Bairns, adding the midfielder "has been a pleasure to work with".

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin branded his side's late derby capitulation at Dens Park last weekend as "pathetic".

Leading 2-0 going into added time, United were undone by a late double in the final two minutes as Dundee snatched an unlikely draw.

In those dramatic moments United's season was summed up. The Tangerines are seventh in the Premiership but it should be so much better.

The share of the spoils at the home of their neighbours means United have drawn 13 - more than a third - of their 30 league games. A stat that currently earns them the unwanted title of the division's draw specialist.

They have also managed just four clean sheets in the league - only bottom club Livingston have had fewer - and have conceded the joint third most goals (48, alongside Dundee) - only Livingston and Kilmarnock have shipped more.

And having squandered a load of points from winning positions you start to see why what happened at Dens Park during that dramatic finale was United's campaign in microcosm.

United's top-six hopes are all but over and they appear unlikely to get dragged into the battle at the bottom so the remainder of the season looks set to peter out.

While it does, Goodwin - and the fans - will be pondering why a campaign that began with such high hopes has gradually fizzled out.